Rationalization and Marketization: A Look at the Debate on Neoliberalism in Higher Education

Abstract

This article tackles the ongoing debate surrounding the concept of neoliberalism and its application  within the realm of higher education studies. It contends that a sociological perspective can provide valuable tools to address this ambiguity and contribute to the process of conceptualization in this field. To achieve this, the article proposes a reinterpretation of the notion of neoliberalism in the context of higher education, drawing from insights derived from the sociological theory of Weber and Foucault.The article suggests, first, that the concepts of marketization and economic rationalization in higher education can help us better comprehend the transformation occurring within higher education systems. Using the case of Chile as an example, these concepts shed light on the privatization of the education system and the intensified  competition brought about by the 2018 reform. Notably, this reform paradoxically expanded the scope of State intervention while seeking to reduce the influence of market forces. Consequently, the notion of neoliberalism is positioned within a dynamic interplay between markets and the State, all under the influence of inherent dynamics of higher education.